The bay, which will be described in this article, is located between two small states - Estonia and Latvia. It is located in the eastern part Baltic Sea.
Briefly about the Riga seaside
Speaking about him, many first of all represent the well-known Jurmala - the resort of the Gulf of Riga. However, not everyone knows that this coast is located only on the left side of the estuary where the capital of Latvia, Riga, also stands.
There are also recreation areas on the right side of the coast, included in the Riga region and having the same magnificent beaches with golden sands where you can enjoy summer rest... There is only one feature of this site - even at the height of the season it is much quieter here, which is also welcomed by many vacationers.
Gulf of Riga: location, description
One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Riga seaside.
On the north side of the bay are the islands of the Moonsund archipelago, which belong to Estonia. Most of the shores of the reservoir are made of sand. The area of \u200b\u200bthe bay, which flows into the land at a distance of almost 174 km, is 18.1 thousand square meters. km. In width, it stretches for 137 kilometers. Maximum depth The Gulf of Riga is relatively small and equals 54 meters.
The islands of the bay are separated from the mainland by the Irbensky Strait, located between the southern tip and Cape Kolkasrags, as well as Väinameri (strait). Among them there are islands belonging to Estonia. These are Kihnu, Manilaid, Ruhnu and Abruka. Most of the coast of the bay is lowland, and the bottom is mostly sandy.
Lielupe is the river of the Gulf of Riga. Pärnu, Salaca, Gauja and Age also flow into it.
The largest port of these places is Riga. It should also be noted that the western coast of the bay is called Livsky, and it is a protected area.
In the adjacent territories to the bay, there are magnificent natural attractions: Pisuras Park, Vella Kalva boulder ridge, Randu Plavas botanical reserve, a section of rocky Vidzeme seaside, etc.
Flow pattern and temperature
In summer, the water temperature reaches 18 ° C, in winter it drops to 0-1 ° C. The bay is covered with ice in December and is hidden by it until April. The salinity of the waters reaches 6%.
The flow has a rotational type, and its average velocity is about 8 cm / sec.
Resorts and cities
Wonderful Latvian cities and resorts attract numerous guests to rest. On the southwest coast is the glorious city of Jurmala, on the north - the magnificent Pärnu, on the Saaremaa island is the city of Kuressaare.
The Gulf of Riga has placed on its shores many settlements... Each of them has its own characteristics and advantages.
One of the most beautiful resorts not only the Riga seaside, but also Europe is Jurmala, located 14 kilometers from the capital of Latvia. This resort area stretches in a narrow strip along the long stretch (32 km) of the coast of the Gulf of Riga.
The most famous of the settlements are the following: Dzintari, Lielupe, Bulduri, Asari, Dubulti, Majori and Kemeri. Each of these villages is distinctive and unique. Below is the short description some of them.
1. Dzintari is famous for its famous concert hall, where musical competitions of the "New Wave", KVN festivals and concerts of world pop stars are held.
2. Lielupe is a large sports center with excellent tennis courts and a yacht club. The largest water park in Latvia is also located here.
3. Asari and Melluzi are mostly meant for a more relaxing holiday.
4. Majori is notable for the busy pedestrian street Jomas with numerous shops and shops.
6. The park is magnificent water attractions can be visited in Vaivari.
Mangalsala Peninsula
The Gulf of Riga is washed by this extraordinary peninsula. This area is a place where an amazingly green pine forest gradually turns into soft golden beaches. The main man-made attraction of the peninsula is the Eastern pier (Mangalsal dam), built in 1861 during the reign of Alexander II.
Also here you can see with your own eyes the catacombs that have survived from the period of the Russian-Swedish war. All this is protected by the Latvian state. The stunning scenic sunsets also look great here. Rich natural wonders the Gulf of Riga.
A little about the history of the formation of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf
The history of the formation of the youngest (in terms of geology) Baltic Sea in Europe, with which the Gulf of Riga is connected, is quite interesting.
The Holocene is the time when its present boundaries were formed. Much earlier (during the Pleistocene) continental ice kept its waters in a confined space (Baltic depression). During the period of ice melting, the sea turned into a lake. Then, as it filled up (10 thousand years ago), it again turned into a sea - Yoldium (named after the mollusk of Yoldium, which got into it from the Atlantic), which connected with the North. As a result of certain tectonic processes over two thousand years, there was an uplift of the central territory of present-day Sweden. Thus, the connection with the ocean was closed, and the Yoldian slightly salted sea turned into a freshwater Ancylus lake.
Due to the gradual warming of the climate, the isthmus in the place sank, and the so-called Litorina Sea (also from the mollusk - Litorina Littorea) reached the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, 4 thousand years ago, the outlines of its shores appeared, of course, changed over the course of 1.5 thousand years.
Since the level of the previous Litorin Sea was 6 meters higher than the mainland, the sea spread over vast territories, forming bays, among which the Riga one was the smallest.
Riga is a symbiosis of modernity and antiquity. The city of old European traditions. Among the Baltic capitals, it is famous for its interesting architecture of mixing styles. The wars did not touch the ancient buildings, you can admire the historical heritage of the ancestors of the central part of the city for hours.
A bit of history
The city, since the 13th century, was famous for its cultural and shopping center... The main population over the centuries up to the 20th century were the Germans, who left a strong imprint on the culture, mentality modern population Riga. The ups and downs of modern migrations have created the conditions for the emergence of a multinational population in the capital of Latvia. The fusion of cultures also influenced the mood of the city, but German remains the main contribution.
How to get there
Riga is located in the central part of Europe, near the coast of the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea. The Daugava River (Western Dvina, renamed in the territory of Latvia) flows through the city. Historical Center located on the right bank of the Daugava.
The city has excellent transport links. Train Station - a junction station in the center of the capital of Latvia, communication with any city is provided, there are direct routes from Moscow. With all the comfort of the branded cars, the fare has become prohibitively high, so many visitors to the city prefer to travel by aviation. The airport is located in the suburbs, at the nearest distance, it is not difficult to get from there. In addition to taxis, it functions perfectly public transport, fare in euros.
Weather
The city is located close to the coast of the bay, which affects the city's climate. There are no sharp fluctuations in temperature, but the climate is close to moderate continental. There is little precipitation, summer is not hot, the temperature rarely rises above + 250C, winters are with a little frost. The swimming season on the coast opens in mid-June. Best time for travel - midsummer. This is also emphasized by the large number of beau monde gathering at that time in Riga and the surrounding areas.
Where to stay
The city welcomes its guests with a large number of hotels; there are 260 hotels in Riga. The main class is 4-5 stars. There are enough free placesbut in best hotels better to book rooms in advance. Popular are Wellton Elefant, a new 2012 hotel located on the highway from the airport to Old Riga, Islande Hotel, centrally located on Kipsala Island, a former student town, and a boutique hotel in the historic Wellton Gertrude building, a great place to stay with the whole family. close to the famous Latvian National Opera next to Old Riga.
What to see
During the period beach season it is interesting to visit the coast. Few people know that, in addition to the Jurmala direction, there is a resort area in the Vecaki side, where there are many summer cottages of famous people. The entire coast is provided with infrastructure, there are many interesting cafes, open areas for relaxing with tea and various places wellness rest... Here you will not hear impolite treatment, as tourists are respected for their ability to generate income.
The coast is a paradise for middle-aged people or families with small children. There is also a lot of entertainment for young people, but this age is more characteristic of expression, which is lacking in the measured rhythm of the resort area. Young creatures prefer to rest mainly in Riga itself.
The city has many attractions. Besides just sightseeing tours, you can visit the Dome Cathedral, a huge number of museums located in the city center, as well as medieval castles, which are no more than two hours' drive from Riga.
People of different ages visit the city. Someone is attracted by nostalgia, someone wants to see live famous city... Calm and measured, worthy to look at. With all its recent belonging to a large country, a tourist must remember that now it is a foreign state, and native Latvians are disposed to distrust the citizens of another state. Under the guise of European goodwill, one can consider unwillingness to communicate. It is better to count on yourself, stock up on guidebooks and euros.
Jurmala is not only popular resort on the shores of the Baltic Sea, but also an area with very favorable natural and climatic conditions.
That is why the sanatoriums of Jurmala are deservedly popular with local residents and tourists.
For a long time already, sanatoriums and spa centers in Jurmala have been considered a good option for sanatorium rest and treatment.
Health resort resources of Latvia were known back in the 19th century... Even then, Jurmala was famous for its mineral springs, which at that time were considered holy. The richest people from the upper strata of society came here to improve their health.
At the same time, the first chemical analyzes were carried out in St. Petersburg. mineral water, and in 1838 Jurmala acquired the status of a resort town.
Currently, all along the coast of Jurmala, there are well-known sanatoriums and spa hotels offering their guests a variety of medical and rehabilitation procedures aimed at improving health and overall physical fitness. SPA complexes in Jurmala are among the largest complexes in the whole of Eastern Europe.
Jurmala's popularity as recreational resort, ideal for spa treatment, is also explained by the possibility of combining wellness procedures with beach vacation, entertainment and excursion program.
The spa industry is well developed not only in Latvia. After visiting Jurmala, you will surely want to visit in order to enrich your holiday experience in the Baltics.
Did you know that the sea is not the only water entertainment in Jurmala? Read about the Livu water park and be sure to visit it if possible!
The main advantages of spa treatment in Jurmala
Jurmala is a large Baltic resort city located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga, 25 km from Riga. Currently, there are more than 30 hotels and sanatoriums in Jurmala, offering their guests rest and spa treatment.
The main advantages Jurmala as a resort for spa treatment are:
- Unique natural climatic conditions... The mild climate in Jurmala is combined with the cleanest air and proximity to the sea.
Treatment in local sanatoriums located in the vicinity of coniferous forests and the sea has a beneficial effect on the health and general condition of people with a weakened respiratory system;
- High quality spa treatment, recognized throughout the world. Jurmala sanatoriums employ highly qualified specialists who use modern diagnostic and treatment equipment;
- A wide range of treatment programs in a variety of areas;
- The presence of healing mineral springs and reserves of medicinal peat. Rehabilitation centers in Jurmala are located in the immediate vicinity of hydrogen sulphide springs, as well as peat and sapropel mud, which are actively used in treatment and spa procedures.
It is also important that all mud, unlike many other health resorts in the Baltic States, is received for medical procedures. almost immediately after their extraction... This ensures the maximum effect from their application.
The main advantage of the mineral springs in Jurmala is the different composition of water mineralization. This allows you to treat a very extensive list of diseases;
- A large selection of spa treatments, prescribed depending on the disease.
For spa recovery, Latvian health resorts use such therapeutic measures as balneotherapy, diet therapy, paraffin therapy, various types of massage, hydrotherapy, modern physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises and other methods of spa recovery;
- The possibility of combining spa treatment with beach vacation... All Jurmala sanatoriums are close to cleanest beaches Baltic.
Back in 1997, Jurmala joined the world famous Blue Flag Beach company, which was organized by the European Foundation for Environmental Education.
And in 2000, the beach in Majori received the Blue Flag again, which testifies to the cleanliness of the beach, high quality sea water and safety;
- Big choice SPA treatmentsallowing you to combine treatment with rest, relaxation and improvement of physical fitness;
- Affordable cost of rest and treatment. Despite the high european level maintenance and availability of the most modern equipment, the cost of recreation and treatment in Latvia is very reasonable.
The prices for health procedures in the sanatoriums of Jurmala compare favorably with most Russian health resorts, not to mention European sanatoriums.
It should be borne in mind that the quality of treatment in Latvian rehabilitation centers not at all inferior to European service;
- No language barrier. All employees of the Jurmala health resorts speak Russian fluently, which eliminates any misunderstandings in the diagnosis, treatment prescription and procedures.
Indications for spa treatment in Jurmala
In the sanatoriums of Jurmala there are resources for carrying out medical and health-improving procedures for a variety of diseases. The main indications for spa treatment in the rehabilitation centers of Jurmala are:
- respiratory diseases;
- diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- skin diseases;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- gynecological and urological diseases.
This list of indications is not exhaustive. Depending on the specialization of specific sanatoriums, you can choose wellness programs for the treatment of a number of other diseases. Doctors highly recommend spa centers in Latvia for the treatment of many childhood diseases.
Dental services are in great demand among tourists. The high level of service in Latvian health resorts is combined with a very affordable price... For example, in comparison with Moscow, dental treatment in Latvia is 1.5-2 times cheaper.
Contraindications there is very little for spa treatment in Jurmala. Finding and treating in sanatoriums is contraindicated for persons suffering from infectious diseases, mental disorders... And also to those persons who can be harmed by being at the resort - in the stage of exacerbation of various diseases, with malignant neoplasms, women in the third trimester of pregnancy, with a tendency to bleeding.
Jurmala sanatoriums and their specialization
Almost all sanatoriums in Jurmala have a good number of rooms, excellent infrastructure and a modern medical and recreational facilities. Each rehabilitation complex is equipped with high-tech diagnostic equipment and offers a wide range of treatments and spa treatments.
Some buildings of recovery centers are located right in the pine forest, which has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and the psychological state of a person.
All sanatoriums in Jurmala have developed infrastructure - shops, restaurants, parking lots, cafes, bars, beauty salons. You will not be bored here either, since concerts, popular festivals, fairs and other cultural events are constantly held in Jurmala. The sanatoriums have conditions for holding training seminars and conferences.
The largest and most popular sanatoriums in Jurmala are the sanatoriums "Yantarny Bereg", "Belorussia", "Jaunkemeri" and "Pegasa Pils".
Sanatorium "Yantarny Bereg"
This is one of the oldest health resorts in Jurmala (see photo). Despite this, "Amber Coast" well equipped and has one of the best medical and diagnostic facilities in Latvia.
Highly qualified personnel, modern equipment, a large number of rehabilitation and preventive programs - all this is distinctive feature of this sanatorium.
The main profile of "Amber Coast" is diseases of the peripheral nervous system, diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and musculoskeletal system.
In addition, the sanatorium offers programs for body shaping, treatment of skin diseases, rehabilitation after eye surgery, treatment of chronic gynecological diseases. Additionally, programs for pregnant women and anti-aging wellness programs are offered.
The medical base of the sanatorium includes mud therapy with the famous Kemeri sapropelic mud, balneotherapy, paraffin therapy, halospeleotherapy, anti-gravity therapy for cardiac patients and many other effective methods of recovery and treatment.
Sanatorium "Yantarny Bereg" is located on the territory National park Kemeri. It consists of a main six-storey building and a cottage with vip numbers.
From the sanatorium to the sea - about 200 meters. The sanatorium has its own well-equipped beach and developed infrastructure not only for treatment, but also for a good rest.
Vacationers in the sanatorium can visit the pool, sauna, gym. "Amber Coast" has tennis courts, a volleyball court, a billiard room. Concerts, movie shows, discos and other entertainment events are held in the sanatorium almost every day.
The sanatorium works year-round... The cost of living in the sanatorium "Yantarny Bereg" with treatment and 3 meals a day ranges from 41 to 134 euros per person per day, depending on the room. The cost of an extra bed with meals is about 25 euros per day. In a period of massive demand, prices may rise.
Sanatorium "Belorussia"
Sanatorium "Belorussia" located in the very center of Jurmala, has been providing spa services since 1976.
The profile of “Belarus” is the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, circulatory organs and metabolic disorders. In addition, there are opportunities for the spa treatment of diseases of the digestive system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, skin and allergic diseases.
The sanatorium has 257 beds. Works all year round.
Location: 15 minutes walk from the main pedestrian street Jomas and the famous concert hall Dzintari. Distance to the sea - 200 meters. Located in the dune area pine forest.
Sanatorium infrastructure:
- indoor pool with mineral water (25m);
- sauna, turkish bath, infrared cabin;
- hardware massage;
- phytobar;
- modern gym;
- sports grounds and tennis court;
- cinema, library;
- children's playroom.
The price for the services of the sanatorium varies from 37 to 80 euros per day / person. depending on the room, season and treatment program. The price includes accommodation, 5 meals a day and the selected treatment program. Discounts for children.
A 10-15 minute train ride from Riga, 16 kilometers west of it, begins a resort of all-Union significance - the Riga seaside, the city of Jurmala. The Riga seaside is the pearl of the Baltics. Resort area stretched along south coast The Gulf of Riga by an 18-kilometer strip, overgrown pine forest... From the south and east, the seaside is washed by the waters of the river for 22 kilometers. Lielupe. The width of the resort strip between the bay and the river is about 3 kilometers, and in the Majori - Dubulti area it decreases to 350 meters. The resort begins summer cottage Lielupe and stretches with an unbroken chain of summer cottages (Bulduri, Dzintari, Majori, Dubulti, Pumpuri, Melluzi, Asari) to Vaivari station.
The large balneological resort Kemeri is located 43 kilometers from Riga, 5 kilometers from the Gulf of Riga. The construction of the Jaunkemeri - Novoe Kemeri balneological sanatorium complex, which will be the largest in the Baltics, is nearing completion.
One of the best beaches in the country with a width of 50-100 meters stretches along the entire coastline. It is covered with clean, fine, yellowish sand.
The coastal zone is shallow, and therefore the water near the coast warms up well in summer. Shallows along the coast also contribute to its heating.
The beach along its entire length is framed by dunes covered with pine trees. The dunes are about 50 meters wide, and the height ranges from 10 to 15 meters. The dunes reliably protect holidaymakers from the cold northern winds blowing from the bay. Behind the strip of dunes to the river Lielupe is a pine and in some places deciduous forest.
Summer-type houses are scattered among the trees, in some places buildings of sanatoriums and rest houses rise. Only Majori and Dubulti, which lie in the center of Jurmala, resemble a city in their appearance.
There are more than 25 sanatoriums on the Riga seaside, including new or modernized "Kemeri", "Baltia", "Latvia", "Chaika", "Yurnieks", "Bulduri", etc. There are more than 30 rest houses, including including the House of Creativity of the Art Fund of the USSR, the House of Creativity of Writers. Rainis and others. Every year tens of thousands of workers rest and receive treatment at the seaside.
In the sanatoriums of the Riga seaside, diseases of the cardiovascular system, anemia arising after blood loss, infectious diseases and due to chronic diseases of various organs, functional diseases of the nervous system (neurasthenia, neuroses), etc. are treated. In Kemeri, in addition, chronic diseases of the joints of non-tuberculous origin, treatment with mud and hydrogen sulfide waters of mineral springs is used. A new polyclinic with modern equipment has been built on the Riga seaside, and a bioclimatic station and an agroclimatic pavilion are operating.
The Riga seaside provides ample opportunities for active recreation of tourists and "savages". There are many routes for walking tours and boat trips on motor ships along Lielupe, to Riga, to Lake Kisezers, etc.
The favorite places for hunters and fishermen are the branches and oxbows at the mouth of the Lielupe and especially the Babite lake with an area of \u200b\u200b26 square kilometers. On the seaside there are sports facilities and several boat stations. All-Union competitions in sailing, rowing and water-motor sports are held on Lielupe.
The Riga seaside is one of the seaside climatic resorts in the temperate zone, and it is natural that its climatic conditions are an important component of the entire medical complex. The climate of the Riga seaside is semi-marine type. Summers are relatively cool, winters are relatively mild. The warm period is especially favorable for climatotherapy and rest. It starts in May. May is the driest and sunniest month of the year. During the month the sun shines 260 hours, and cloudy days there are only four. Clear days and days with variable clouds are about 20 per month. Sunny dry weather only occasionally gives way to relatively cold weather with northerly winds, sometimes with frost. Winds from the bay are generally frequent at the Riga seaside, however, there are places at the seaside where the wind speed is significantly weakened. These are forested dunes and streets of Jurmala stretched parallel to them. With an average air temperature in May of 11-12 ° during the daytime, it ranges from 15 to 20 ° on half of all days of the month. The sea, however, is still cool in May, the water surface temperature during the day is only 10-12 °, on clear days it rises to 13-14 °. On such days, the surface temperature of the sand on the beach is 13-15 ° in the morning, and around noon rises to 25-27 °. In the second half of May, when bird cherry, lilac, apple and cherry trees bloom, the villages of Jurmala turn into a garden.
In June, during the daytime, the air temperature on average is already 19-20 °, while in half of all days of the month it is above 20 °, and on some days even above 25 °. The sun shines 270-280 hours during the month, and there are only one or two days without sun in summer. All summer, the weather is lightly cloudy or partly cloudy. During the day, in clear weather, a light wind blows from the bay, a sea breeze that improves well-being. It rains 10-12 times a month. However, summer rains are short-lived and usually the sun shines again in an hour or two. The sands of the seaside quickly absorb rainwater, so the streets and the beach dry out quickly even after heavy rainfall.
The water surface temperature near the coast in June, as a rule, is still low - in the morning it is usually 14-15 °, and in the daytime and evening hours it rises to 16-17 ° and only on some days it can be warmer - 20-22 °. The sand on the beach is already very hot in June. During the day, in sunny weather, its surface temperature reaches 32-36 °, and sometimes even above 40 °.
In July and August, the warmest months of the year, the best conditions for recreation at the Riga seaside. The average air temperature in these months is 16-17 °, and in the daytime hours 21-23 °, while in the afternoon in half of all days of the month it is kept in the range from 20 to 25 °, for 5-7 days it is above 25 °, and in some days and above 30 °.
It is during these months, at the height of summer, that the swimming season unfolds at the seaside. The water temperature in the morning hours is 16-17 °, on sunny days in the morning it rises to 18-19 °, and in the afternoon and evening up to 18-20 °. On some days when north winds warmed water from the surface of the bay is driven to the coast of the seashore, the temperature of the water near the coast can rise to 23-26 °. Swimming in such water is especially pleasant. The south wind, on the contrary, drives warm water from the coast, and although the air is warmer on such days, the water near the coast usually remains cool, and sometimes its temperature drops to 8-10 °. The surface of the sand on sunny days heats up to 34-36g, and on the unforested southern slopes of the avandunes - and up to 45 ° and higher.
In July-August there is usually relatively much rain (13-14 days with rain per month). However, in about half of all cases, especially in August, it rains at night or early in the morning, and by midday the weather improves at the seaside. The heat, sometimes felt on the beach, is not tiresome thanks to the sea breezes. In addition, you can hide from the hot rays of the sun in the shade of the seaside forest. The air, especially in the pine forest, is highly ionized, saturated with the smell of pine needles and refreshingly clean.
September is quite often still warm and dry, it even happens that it turns out to be warmer than August. This month the temperature of both air and water begins to drop. The average air temperature in September is 12 °, during the day it rises to 16 °, and at this time of the day the temperature prevails from 15 to 20 ° (14 days) and only 6 days it can be above 20 °.
The swimming season usually ends in mid-September.
Although there are not so many sunny days on the Riga seaside as in the Crimea or the Caucasus, the summers here are quite warm.
The climate of the Riga seaside hardens and trains the human body.
A small difference between the temperatures of day and night, frequent, although insignificant fluctuations in temperature and humidity of the air from day to day have a beneficial effect on the whole body, they improve blood circulation, metabolism, and increase the tone of the nervous system. A person's resistance to colds also increases.
Sea bathing, aerial and sunbathing, gymnastics, sleep on fresh air improve general health, strengthen the nervous system, give strength and energy.
